STUDENTS and staff at the John Masefield High School in Ledbury are celebrating a near perfect pass rate for A-levels this year.

The Head of the Sixth Form, Mark Hawksworth was delighted with "another year of strong A-Level results" on Thursday morning, with a pass rate in excess of 99% including nearly two-fifths of all grades (39%) at the top A* and A grade equivalents, and nearly four-fifths (79%) of all grades at A* to C grade equivalents.

Mr Hawksworth said: "On the back of these results the vast majority of students will go on to their first choice universities, many at Russell Group, and many can be extremely proud of how well they have achieved.

"A special mention must go to Lottie Mapp, who achieved 3 As and will now read French and Spanish at Oxford University, and Head Girl Harmony Skittery who achieved an A* and 3 As and will now go on to study Medicine at the University of Nottingham."

Some other outstanding individual results at JMHS include-

Lauren Ackerman – A*, A*, A, B and A* in EPQ

Darren Baetjer – A, A, A, B

Caitlin Brown – A, A, A and A in EPQ

Paige Brown – Dist*, Dist, Dist

Sophie Cockett – Dist*, A, A, A and A in EPQ

Rachael Franzen – A*, Dist*, D

Jono Gooch – A, A, B

Callum Green – Dist*, Dist

Sophie Hawkes – A*, A, B

Louise Kearsey – A, B, C, and A* in EPQ

James Kennedy – A, A, B

Niko Kopoleinen – A*, A, Dist

Connor McKeown – A, B, B

Sophie Mitton – A*, A, B

Emma Price – A*, A, B

Mr Hawksworth said: "John Masefield have also had tremendous success with their first cohort of students to take the highly valued Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The EPQ is an additional research-based qualification at A level standard. Top universities recognise the EPQ as a way to develop and demonstrate independent study and research skills required for successful transition to Higher Education. Over 55% of students taking the EPQ achieved A* or A grades and all students achieved the qualification."

It was a similar success story at Newent Community School.

Headteacher, Kirsten Harrison said: "Our results stand comparison with the best we’ve ever had. With a 99% pass rate at A2, with 46% at A*, A or B grades, there has been an improved performance at A, B C and D grades on last year’s results.

"Polly Wells is to be congratulated on her excellent two A*s and two As in Graphics, Biology , Chemistry and Maths respectively. She goes on to study Biochemistry at Exeter. Rhys Hughes will go on to study Medicine with his two As in Chemistry and Business Studies and A* in Biology. Chris Forrester can be pleased with 4 top grades: A* in Physics , As in Maths and Chemistry and a B in German, who goes on to study Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham.

" Also to be congratulated are the students with an A* and two A grades: Jade Beard - two As in Drama and English Literature and an A* in English Language; ; Olivia Raine also 2 As in English Literature and Psychology and an A* in History. Sam Cole, from Year 11, is to be congratulated on achieving an A* in A2 Philosophy and Ethics two years early, building on his A* at AS last year."

Mrs Harrison added: "Other very successful A2 students reflect the work of the Art department with Verity Bailey with an A* in Graphics and an A in Fine Art and Millie Steele with an A* in Fine Art and an A in Graphics.

"Students are set to go to destinations as far apart as Exeter and Leeds and students will be following courses from Navigation and Maritime Science to Speech and Language Therapy and Graphic Design to History or Primary Education."